LGBT Equality Advocates Give High Marks to Baltimore Companies

When it comes to LGBT equality in the workplace, Baltimore, and Maryland in general, both get high marks from an influential group.

According to a report released Wednesday by the organization behind the ubiquitous equals-sign, the Human Rights Campaign, Maryland companies rank among the most inclusive in the country for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered employees.

Baltimore-based T. Rowe Price Associates and DLA Piper pulled in a perfect score of 100 on the Corporate Equity Index. Maryland companies Choice Hotels International, Lockheed Martin, Marriott International and Sodexo also got perfect scores. Constellation Energy Group scored a 90, while Bethesda-based Host Hotels and Resorts left more room for improvement with a 30.

Companies were rated based on whether they prohibit discrimination based on sexuality or gender; offer partner and transgender-inclusive health insurance; offer resources and training to employees; engage the LGBT community outside the workplace; and don’t have any anti-LGBT remarks on their record.

This wasn’t the first time HRC highlighted Baltimore’s inclusive efforts this month. Last week, the organization gave the city a perfect score on its Municipality Equality Index, which “examines the laws, policies, and services of municipalities and rates them on the basis of their inclusivity of LGBT people who live and work there.”